Sex ban for UK travelers in Florida following Zika outbreak

UK travelers visiting Florida have been advised against having unprotected sex due to the risk of contracting the Zika virus.

The advice comes after four cases of the virus were confirmed to have been contracted from local mosquitoes in the popular holiday destination.

It’s not just while on vacation either, as Public Health England advises couples to use condoms for eight weeks after their return to assure that the virus is not spread.

Pregnant women are advised to consider postponing non-essential trips to the state of Florida because Zika is particularly dangerous for them, as it can cause severe birth defects or cause miscarriage.

Florida, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, and the Philippines have all been deemed to pose a moderate Zika risk by the European Centre for Disease Control. Areas in South and Central America are considered high risk, and pregnant women are advised to postpone non-essential travel there.

One such place affected in South America is Brazil, where the Olympic Games are being held from August 5.

Over 150 health professionals signed an open letter in May calling on the International Olympic Committee to consider postponing or even moving the games from Rio de Janeiro to another country due to the spread of the virus.